Topic Sentences

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Topic Sentences

• Where they are found and what they do.

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• A topic sentence is the central idea of a
  paragraph. It is an overview of what readers
  should see in a single paragraph.
• Think of a topic sentence as
• the umbrella for the paragraph
• it the information contained in
  the paragraph

covers
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Why do we use topic sentences?

• To help readers
• by allowing a reader to know exactly what they
  are going to find in a paragraph

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Why do we use topic sentences?

• To help writers

• by providing writers with a way to organize their
• thoughts and ideas

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Sample Paragraph No. 1

• Look at this paragraph and think about the main
  idea
• The rain forest is home to many creatures.
  Monkeys, toucans and macaws live in the rain
  forest. Blue Morpho butterflies and anteaters
  also live in the rain forest.
• The animals described in the above paragraph are
  examples of the different creatures that can be
  found in the rain forest. The topic of this
  paragraph comes in the first sentence which
  explains that a variety of animals can be found
  in the rain forest.

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Sample Paragraph No. 2

• Now think about the next paragraph and once again
  consider the topic
• There are many fun things to do at the beach.
  Swimming is one thing that can be done at the
  beach. Snorkeling is another thing that can be
  enjoyed. Playing beach volleyball can be a lot of
  fun. It is also fun to look for shells. Some
  people simply like to sunbathe. 
• The first sentence is the topic. It explains that
  there are many things that we can do at the
  beach. The other sentences describe what these
  things are.

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Sample Paragraph No. 2
snorkeling
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Sample Paragraph No. 3

• Now consider the following paragraph
• Talk about bad days today is a classic. First, I
  woke up to hear my parents yelling in my ear
  because I didnt clean my room. Then I went to
  school to find out I had failed my science
  project. At lunch, while walking out of the
  cafeteria I tripped over somebodys bag and made
  myself look like a fool. Finally, I came home to
  learn that I might have my I-Pod taken away, and
  it wasnt even my fault! And its only two in
  the afternoon!

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Sample Paragraph No. 3
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Sample Paragraph No. 4

• My life is full of risks. As a stair builder who
  works with heavy machinery, I risk cutting off a
  finger or a limb every day. Each Monday and
  Thursday, I risk four or five dollars on the
  state lottery. Every time I take my beat-up, 1981
  Chevy Caprice Classic for a drive, I risk a break
  down. However, the biggest risk Ive ever taken
  was my decision to attend DeVry Institute this
  year.

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Sample Paragraph No. 4
What are the supporting ideas?
What is the central idea?
?
?
?
?
?
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Are topic sentences always the first sentence of
a paragraph?

• No, not always. Sometimes there is no one
  sentence that summarises the main idea. In this
  case you should read the whole paragraph and
  think about what the general idea is.

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Sample Paragraph No. 6

• In 1951 Henrietta Lacks died of cancer. Her
  cells, however, are still alive today. They are
  studied in cancer-research laboratories all over
  the world. Rarely do cells continue to grow once
  they are separated from a living body. But the
  cancer cells which killed Henrietta Lacks only
  eight months after the disease was detected were
  so potent, they survive today. HeLa cells- the
  name is derived from the first two letters of
  Henriettas name- were instrumental in the
  development of a vaccine against polio.
  Ultimately researchers hope that the HeLa cells
  will lead them to a cure for cancer.
• Is this paragraph about
• a. Henrietta Lacks
• b. cancer cure
• c. HeLa cells

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• Sometimes the topic sentence is the last sentence
  of a paragraph.

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Sample Paragraph No. 5

• I cant help but marvel in awe. The students at
  Odyssey are truly a cut above the rest when it
  comes to character. Not only do they accept all
  people, but they strongly support them. When one
  student struggles in a subject, other students
  jump in to help. Often, when someone is having
  a bad day, students steer clear, but not at
  Odyssey. These students do what they can to
  uplift others spirits. A low rumble of teamwork
  is the noise you will hear at Odyssey. Students
  work together to promote learning and their noise
  levels are respectful to others concentration.
  The superior quality of character at Odyssey
  makes it a wonderful place to learn.

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What are the supporting ideas?
What is the central idea?
?
?
?
Sample Paragraph No. 5
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Sample Paragraph No. 7

• One early theory likened human memory to a muscle
  that had to be regularly exercised in order to
  function properly. This theory was eventually
  replaced by the notion that remembering was like
  writing, with experience the pen and the mind a
  blank page. But eventually this theory was also
  rejected. In its place came another hypothesis-
  that human memory functioned with a complex and
  well-stocked library catalogue. With access to a
  key word you could look up any piece of stored or
  catalogued information. But over time that theory
  has also been discarded. Human memory may in fact
  be too sophisticated and too complex to be
  explained through any one single simile or
  metaphore.